Registration for Summer 2024 will open soon. 
OEAI Registration
 

Note: Students cannot register themselves. Individual departments register eligible graduate students via an online registration system. The link is included under "Information for Department Contacts".

OEAI Test Cycle

  • The OEAI is administered throughout each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer).
  • First-time examinees are scheduled during the first half of the exam period. Re-tests are scheduled backwards from the end of the semester to allow for enough time to finish ESL course work or tutoring.
  • Students should let their departments know any general scheduling preferences before being registered for the OEAI.
Testing Period Registration opens Interview Dates Eligible Students
Fall Late August Early October through December All graduate students
January (limited) December During pre-semester orientation week, before Graduate Academy Incoming graduate students considered for Spring TA appointments (first-time test-takers)
Spring February 1-29 Early March through May All graduate students
Summer 1 Late April Late May and June First time OEAI test-takers being considered for Summer 2 or Fall TA appointments
Summer 2 Early June July and early August

All graduate students

Not eligible: students who did not achieve a passing score in the OEAI in Summer 1
Pre-Fall (limited) June One week prior to Graduate Academy

Priority given to students who are being considered for Fall TA appointments.

Not eligible: students who did not achieve a passing score in the OEAI in Summer.

 

 

Information for Department Contacts

Please fill out OEAI registration form for department officials to register for your students.

Information needed for test registration:

  1. Student’s full name, birthdate, preferred email address, UIN, NetID. 
  2. The language that the student lists on his/her graduate application form as “first,” “primary,” or “native” language (the language that they first learned and continue to speak at home) and home country.
  3. Hiring department and specialization (if needed for selecting terms).
  4. Student’s TOEFL iBT or IELTS speaking section score, if any, and the date of said test.
  5. The number of previous OEAI/EPI attempts.
  6. For students who are retaking the exam,

 

  • the ESL course number that the student completed or is currently enrolled in (ESL 504, 506, or 510) or,
  • if the student elected tutoring, the name of the approved OEAI tutor.

 

     7. Test scheduling preferences, including any dates/times that are unavailable and/or preferred time periods. (Note: Although we try to accommodate           general preferences if specified in the form, no specific time slots can be guaranteed.) 

Scheduling

Scheduling is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Typically, within two weeks following the receipt of an OEAI registration, the OEAI testing office will send the student's schedule to both the department contact and the student via email. The student is required to respond to this email within 48 hours to confirm their interview date and time. Additionally, two automated email reminders will be sent to students: one at one week and another at 1-2 business days prior to their exam time.

Scheduled OEAI examinees should be advised that the OEAI is a Provost-approved absence and instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for a student who is scheduled to take the OEAI. Examinees are responsible for contacting their instructors regarding the absence or tardiness or any missed work.

Due to the number of students that are interviewed each semester and the availability of our interview team, we cannot accommodate the individual schedules of each prospective TA. However, we do take general student preferences (AM vs PM, which part of a month, etc.) into consideration if specified in the registration form. It's important to note that specific time slots cannot be guaranteed.

Requests for rescheduling must be initiated by the department via email, and the email should include comprehensive information explaining the reasons for the rescheduling request.

Lateness, No-Shows, and Cancellations Policies

Examinees should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled interview. Students should allow ample time to set up their Zoom account and join the meeting. We reserve the right to not interview applicants who arrive late to their interview.

Cancellations or requests to reschedule an OEAI must come from the department. The hiring department should inform the OEAI office at least 1 week prior to the scheduled interview time, so the interview time can be offered to another student.

In the case of an emergency, the hiring department should notify the OEAI office as soon as possible. Once the scheduled OEAI is cancelled, we cannot guarantee that it can be rescheduled during the same semester.

Students who do not show up for their scheduled interview time and have not had their department cancel the interview at least 2 business days in advance will have that no-show counted as one of their 3 attempts.

Information for Students/Test-Takers

The OEAI is administered online via Zoom. Please use a computer to take the interview. 

To complete your OEAI, you must have the following:

  1. Stable internet connection (minimum of 2 mbps for upload and download)
  2. Webcam or build-in camera
  3. Speakers, ear buds, or headphones
  4. Microphone (volume set in the 50% to 75% range)
  5. A quiet and private location to take the exam
  6. An official ID which includes your photo and name in Latin Alphabet script. Acceptable photo IDs are: Passport, driver's license, and I-card. Note that only physical IDs are accepted. Digital IDs cannot be used for the OEAI. 
  • More detailed instructions for accessing the online interview will be sent to each examinee one week in advance of the interview.